Time-frequency analysis of the surface electrocardiogram in atrial fibrillation for monitoring and predicting antiarrhythmic drug effects

This study explored the potential clinical value of Time-Frequency Analysis (TFA) of the sulface ECG for monitoring and predicting atrial drug action in atrial fibrillation (AF). Baseline fwo-minute ECG recordings were made in 42 patients with persisient AF and after oral Jecainide (n=24) or amiodarone (n=18) initiation. Afrer spariotemporal QRXT cancellation, TFA was perjbrmed and ( I ) mean fibrillatory rate, (2) rate stability, and (3) exponential decay of fundamental and harmonic frequency components were determined. Patienrs in whom AF terminated (n=I2) had a lower atrial rate and a smaller exponential decay at baseline than patients who remained in AF. In the remaining 30 patients, drug loading organized AF as expressed by ( 1 ) decrease of atrial rate, (2) increase of ECG segments with stable AF, and (3) decrease of exponentid decay. In conclusion, TFA has the potential to predict and monitor individual antiarrhythmic drug responses in AF.